For many people, being alone with God means ‘quiet time’ without interference from the outside world. However, because I am an extrovert, quietness is not in my  nature.

  

When I pray, I have found it easier to speak aloud to God as though speaking to a human friend. My quiet time can also include singing. Sometimes I sing the words of a hymn or a praise song which connect with the biblical words I have been studying. Occasionally my time alone with God is accompanied by the sound of weeping – tears shed for a family tragedy or for the state of the world. Finally there are times I need to shout out loud in anger or frustration toward God. But more often my shouts have been those of joy and happiness that mere words cannot express.

  

The psalmist knew something about a quiet time that isn’t so quiet. Psalm 147:1 says, ‘How good it is to sing praises to our God.’ Psalm 150 invites the trumpet, harp, tambourine, lute, cymbals and strings to join with everything that has breath to praise the Lord!

Prayer: Whether silent or spoken, whether noisy or quiet, may our praise and thanksgiving be pleasing to you, O God. Amen